An arm covered tattoo is called sleeve tattoo because it looks like shirt sleeve. A full sleeve tattoo is usually intricate from shoulder to wrist. Unlike small tattoos on the part of the arm, the whole arm is the canvas for the tattoo.
After someone had the first discreet tattoo, it’s likely to get more and more over years, either for the need for uniqueness or simply for aesthetic preference. But one thing is for sure. Due diligence exercise is needed in research in order to avoid tattoo cover up or removal.
Tattoo pain on arm sleeve
The arm is one of the most popular placement for tattoo lover. It has three major sections, the bones, muscles, nerves. If the part has more muscles, it’s less painful to get tattoo. If the part is close to bones or has many nerve endings, you need to check your tattoo pain chart.
The arm is divided into the following parts.
- Upper arm
- Elbow
- Forearm
- Wrist
- Hand
As the elbow and wrist has thinner skin, it’s more likely to feel sharp pain when tattoo needle pierces the skin in these places.
Sleeve tattoo styles
Speaking tattoo seems like a discipline in itself if you are new to the tattoo world. But it may not be totally strange to you if you have interest in other art forms. While each artist may have particular style, most of tattoo styles seem resemblance to the artistic styles appearing in other traditional media. When exploring sleeve tattoos, the following styles catch our attention.
- 3D style
- Abstract
- Blackwork
- Cubism
- Dotwork
- Geometric
- Greyscale
- Illustrative
- Japanese Tattoo
- Polynesian
- Sketch Work
- Trash Polka
- Tribal
- Vintage
- Watercolor
Full Sleeve Tattoo Ideas Collection
Fortunately, there are a lot of great ones we can take reference. In this post, I carefully collected a list of 100+ awesome full sleeve tattoos for your reference. Hope you can find inspiration on your full sleeve tattoo ideas. Be sure check out the link to view more portfolio of the tattoo artists. Remember it’s the same important to appoint an best tattoo artist for you tattoo execution.
Dotwok – full sleeve tribal Titan tattoo
Polynesian inspired tribal tattoos usually feature stylized geometrical shapes or symbols, reflecting deepest culture appreciation. For example, in this masculine tattoo, the row of spearheads represents warrior and lizards symbols signifies power, good luck and access the invisible world. Furthermore, placement plays important role in the traditional tattoos. For example, shoulders and upper arms are associated to strength and bravery.
Whimsical illustration
This awesome tattoo is a whimsical illustration inked on the canvas of 360 degree of full sleeve with a fashionable female portrait, flying birds, heart symbol splashed with black ink and decorative cursive script.
Owl, oil Lamp，fall leaf and wolf
An intricate brilliant design combines alerting elements of flying birds, a owl， an oil lamp, a fall leaf and a wolf, which transmits vigilance attitude toward life. On the other hand, the elements are rendered in realistic style and the theme is amazing.
World of Warcraft character
Video game character has always been inspiration for tattoo ideas. For example, World of Warcraft has become popular and one of sources for sleeve tattoo idea. People love to play the online game because of heroes, joy and frustration brought by the game.
Stylish woman
I have never been so impressed by the traditional tattoo like this one. The beauty of the stylish woman is not only rendered by the elements like standing bird, flora and tiger face, but also enhanced accent of color and seamless combination of the elements.
Lion, rose and bird
The lion is considered the king of the jungle that’s why it’ a quite masculine metaphor to express the meaning of power and strength. Rose, on the other hand, is the representation of love, which means even the strongest man conceals love in his deep heart.
Free dance
Life is beautiful and colorful, which is especially true in amine and fantasy world. The tattoo turns the arm into a fantasy world full of UV light with focus on the dancing girl under the spotlight of a fire ball. On the top, a staring eye adds mystery to the look.
Wonder girl
The incredibly realistic tattoo highlights a pondering girl done in shades of black and white. Moreover, the clock hands in front of her face as well as the clock in retro steampunk style accent the mood of the picture.
Kiku flower sleeve tattoo in Japanese style
The black themed tattoo turns the woman’s arm to sleeve of tight shirt with Chrysanthemum flower decorating pattern, which is evident by the triangle cuff at the end of the tattoo.
Queen of myth
Many of tattoos are based on legends or mysterious stories. For example, this tattoo features a woman with a crown and halo in abstract depiction. The great details of cross, shark mouth and triangle eye add eery feeling.
Mixed flowers full sleeve tattoo for women
The flower inspired sleeve tattoo features concentric mandala on both ends. In middle, a rose flower is centered at the place of elbow.
Japanese style inspired tattoo with snake and exaggerated kiku flower
Mixed flowers full sleeve tattoo
Matching sleeve tattoos in cubist style
Cubist tattoo is inspired by Cubism, the art style features the stylization and distortion of geometric objects or figurative characters, etc. Cubist style inspires observations from different view.
Optical illusion geometric tattoo tattoo on arm for men
Geometric elements are often used by artist to create optical illusions in their abstract artwork. This tattoo employs geometric shapes and patterns across shoulder and full sleeve. It appears stunning and astonishing.
Tribal mandala – Geometric symmetry full sleeve tattoo for men
Warrior vs philosopher
The black and white themed tattoo takes you to distant Greek civilization. On the top is a fully armored soldier and on the bottom is a meditative wise man. There is always debate who is the best dominant to govern the country.
Japanese pavilion arm tattoo
If you are a fan of Japanese culture, you wouldn’t miss the attraction of traditional Japanese archetechure. This tattoo is impressive in that it reproduces the beautiful scenary of Japanese pavilion and garden art on the canvas of arm. It also reveals how the shade of black add hues and accent of the mood.
chrysanthemum themed full sleeve tattoo for men
Skull with eye
Sugar skull wearing a helmet tattoo on arm
Dove and skull sleeve tattoo
Blackwork full sleeve tattoo with mandala and geometric shapes
Vintage fantasy
A natural inspire sleeve tattoo features aquatic plants and animals, lion and guerrilla. On the background, the blue color makes the one look cool and unique.
Incredible full sleeve tatoo in Trash Polka style
Abstract Trash Polka
Portrait full sleeve tattoo
Maori tattoo
Maori tattoo originated from indigenous Maori people in New Zealand. But now it’s popular choice for men all over the world. This tribal inspired design is overwhelmed with Maori elements such as Tiki, spiral patterns and matau.
Blank and white hibiscus sleeve tattoo
Hibiscus is one of favorite choices for women’s tattoo ideas. Hibiscus tattoos normally come in a variety of colors. But this one rendered in pure black and white outlines.
Arm Spine
Isn’t horrible to be able to view the bones in human body transparently? The black themed tattoo does more, which lets you see the vertebral in the arm. Of course, it’s exaggerating representation of Gothic style.
Mandala inspired blackwork tattoo for women
The blackwork tattoo covering full sleeve ususally appears on the arm of men. But it could also be designed for women tattoo by adding elements in feminine style.
Bird and hand
The full Sleeve Tattoo is portrayed as fantasy adventure in a dark world. The lonely hand is seeking help from a flying bird.
Skull and lily full sleeve tattoo
Lily is the symbol of compassion in Buddhism. On the other hand, skull represents vessel of the soul, or wisdom. So the meaningful full sleeve tattoo is nice choice to express their faith.
Intricate full arm ink in 3D style
The iconic work draws meaningful symbols in the full circumference of the arm. At the front of the upper arm is a sad man with lighting candles, which is to say there is darkness in life and there are also lights. Whenever there are difficulties or danger, there are angles in life. Viewing the amount of detail, one can imagine how long it took to get the perfect amount of shading to render the realistic 3D style.
Lily Flower
Despite the flower theme, this tattoo looks unique for its burnt yellow color.
The whole circumference of the arms is inked with lily flowers, their leaves and shades.
Life and Death
Abstract style
Blackwork with stylish patterns on full arm for females
Black and white religious themed tattoo on arm
Colorful ink with fictional symbols from water to space
Dragon, Koi and Peony Flower
Black and gray tattoo with Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary on full sleeve
Jesus Christ
Christians and non-Christians agree character traits of Jesus Christ, compassionate, prayerful and humble. Therefore, the religious subject tattoo is popular by people who’d like to express their faith. This tattoo features depiction of Jesus’ portrait with shining halo. Further, the roses, angel and dove underneath serve to enhance the subject.
Bloody red roses
This tattoo looks like a glow of fire lighting over the arm with nonflammable chains and standing roses, which represents firm character.
Vintage city view
The black and white tattoo takes us back to the city of 19th century. On the top is a picture of cityscape, and then followed by the bridge and street view at night. The cab underneath is the most evocative of days that time.
Bible verse sleeve tattoo
Religious tattoos are always choices to express one’s faith. For example, this tattoo creates illusion that the Bible verses were carved in the flesh of the arm with shades and veins of wounds conspicuous and realistic.
Legendary full sleeve tattoo design
The intricate sleeve tattoo depicts details of imaginary metaphors, such as a mysterious man with full-face helmet, an axe, chains and a sword, which evoke rich imaginations about the story.
Skull vampire full sleeve tattoo
The spooky tattoos are alway sleeve tattoo ideas for men. For example, this full sleeve tattoo features frightful skulls with red blood over the arm.
Freaky wonderland full sleeve tattoo
Fight with evils
Elyse Arm finished
Peaceful Buddha
Buddha is always serene and peaceful no matter how much chaos the world becomes.
Woman, clock/compass, book and roses custom tattoo cover up
Fall foliage
Fantastic fall foliage splatted over the arm. The focus of near leaves is contrast to distant blurry, which creates perfect photographic effect. The deep Autumn leaves tattoo is a sign of transformation, a metaphor for rich experience of life.
War and children
This tattoo depicts a powerful and realistic battle scenes as well as its consequence. On the top, the tattoo makes use of natual area of the back shoulder and draws a helicopter, creating perfect realistic effect. On the arm is highlighed with the children left alone. This is another way to remind people of the danger of the war.
Family sleeve tattoo
Zombie woman
Eminem song
New school tattoo sleeve
Music drums note micro tat
Monster with large paw vs. cherry blossoms
Colored sleeve tattoo with dragon and kio fish for men
Ocean subject sleeve tattoo with octopus, sea fish and compass in blue theme
Japanese style tattoo with kio fishes and swirling wave
The high quality body art of Neo American tattoo
Inverted blue tattoo of underwater world
A colored ink with shorcking details
Jazz full sleeve tattoo
Tattoo design koi fish
Viper and woman full sleeve tattoo in greyscale for men
Black and grey tattoo with flowers and multiple symbols in full arm
Angel full sleeve tattoo
Cruelty sleeve tattoo
Black and grey tattoo with skull, rose and boat on arm for men
Colorful tattoo delineating a woman with masquerade mask, red flowers and clock on arm
Sleeve ink with bride, skull and spooky faces
Greywork with Wolf and beautiful woman in realistic style
Angle and skeleton tattoo on full sleeve for men
Colored Japanese themed tattoo with kio fish, lotus and wave on full arm
Inverted space and earth tattoo on full arm
The intriguing combination of colors makes space tattoo design look spectacular. Fast rotating celestial bodies and big explosion remind people of the power of the nature.
King Kong film inspired full sleeve tattoo in grey style
Dragon Koi fish
Religious theme
Colorful abstract
Sometimes there’s no need to use any objects for expression but just color and shapes. For example, the full arm tattoo is full colorful swirls without specific references.
Stylized flowers and leaves
Geometric abstract sleeve tattoo
Black and white sleeve tattoo with mandala inspired patterns
Blackwork matching tattoo on arms for lovers
Colored arm ink of film characters
Stylized birds and dancing woman in watercolor style
Wave and cloud tattoo in Japanese style on full arm for women
Alice in Wonderland
Carton inspired tattoos are loved by people who cherish their days of childhood. But White Rabbit is different here as we can see the words “Here All Mad” on the tattoo.
Vampire wearing feathers with horns in black and grey theme
Black and grey tattoo with flowers on full arm
Go with the flow sleeve tattoo
The natural inspired tattoo features nature elements over the arm. On the top, the partial of a bird represents a large flock of birds flying over the jungle. On the back, is a staring eye rendered realistically. What is surprising is that the tattoo does not hide the meaning deep in the metaphors but uses four words explicitly covering the arm. One with this attitude does not attempt to exert pressure to others, but an easygoing man.
Realistic sleeve tattoo with withered branches and red leaves
Black and grey sleeve tattoo with cinematic scenes for men
Skull wearing a daisy flower integrates with geometric blocks in greyscale
Black and grey sleeve tattoo with mysterious scenes for men
Lion and roses sleeve tattoo
A virile lion face inked on the upper arm was depicted in great details, in which its hair looks messy. From its eyes, the lion looks plunged deep in its contemplation. On the bottom, two pieces of roses and cross unveil the meaning of tattoo.
Impressive Warrior Tattoo placed on full arm for men
Hummingbird and flower watercolor sleeve tattoo
FAQs
What does a full sleeve tattoo say about you? ›
A person with a full sleeve clearly doesn't care what the world thinks about their art. They tend to live as they choose and don't worry too much about consequences. Confidence is their game. In either case, people with arm tattoos usually like to show them off.
How much on average is a full sleeve tattoo? ›A full sleeve tattoo can cost anywhere from $1000 to $6000, depending on the hourly rate of the artist and how much time the art takes to complete. For a design in full color, expect to spend at least two full days sitting for the piece, or be prepared to sit for multiple sessions.
How do people come up with tattoo sleeve ideas? ›To start designing a tattoo sleeve, it's important that you first decide what styles, themes, symbols, images, and colors you want to include. You can then determine the layout of your sleeve by choosing where you want the larger pieces to be and what patterns or motifs you want to use to connect them.
How many hours does a full sleeve take? ›How Long Does a Sleeve Tattoo Take? The amount of time you'll be in the chair will vary dramatically depending on the complexity of the piece. Most tend to take around 15 hours to complete, but there are tattoo designs that have taken over 80 hours.
How many sessions does a sleeve take? ›Usually, you leave 3-4 weeks between appointments and a sleeve can require anywhere from 8-10 sessions.”
Is 200 an hour too much for a tattoo? ›On average, tattoo artists charge $100 to $250 an hour, although in certain cases, high-profile tattoo artists charge more. Consider how in-demand your prospective artist is, based on factors such as their number of Instagram followers as well as awards given to the studio or artist, which can help determine rates.
How much do you tip a tattoo artist? ›“A suggested percentage of 20% to 25% for personal services is an accepted standard, especially in these post-COVID times.” Cornolo puts the range between 15% to 20%, but says that it really varies. “Some tip less, and some are very generous."
Should I get a sleeve on my left or right arm? ›We recommend wearing the sleeve on your dominant arm. This is because the brain receives signals from your dominant arm and hand faster than from your non-dominant arm, which means the sleeve will work better and faster.
Where should I start my tattoo sleeve? ›If you know you eventually want a sleeve, or if you're going full-sleeve right out the gate, then Gualteros recommends starting at the shoulder. From there, you'll work your way down the arm. “If someone came to me and let me do whatever I wanted, I'd start from the top with something that fits the body,” he says.
Do sleeve tattoos affect jobs? ›While your mom might worry that a tattoo could affect your employment prospects, the reality is that, in most cases, it looks like having a tattoo won't affect your job opportunities at all — and could in fact help you get a job.
Will tattoos make me more attractive? ›
Key points. In a study, women rated tattooed men as healthier but not more attractive than men without tattoos. Men viewed tattooed men as more attractive but not healthier than men without tattoos. Women judged men with tattoos as worse potential parents and partners than men without tattoos.
Which arm is better for a sleeve tattoo? ›Any arm, right or left, would be good for a tattoo. The choice boils down to your personal preferences. Just make sure your skin is free of moles.
Should you get a sleeve on your dominant arm? ›We recommend wearing the sleeve on your dominant arm. This is because the brain receives signals from your dominant arm and hand faster than from your non-dominant arm, which means the sleeve will work better and faster.